Natural landscapes: bubbly

ICE BUBBLES, ABRAHAM LAKE, ALBERTA

This lake, in the front range of the Canadian Rocky Mountains just outside Banff National Park, has long been on my bucket list. In winter, the lake is renowned for fantastical ice, including amazing columns of ice bubbles and I’ve seen incredible photos that prove it.
I finally visited a week ago (it’s a four-hour drive from my home in Calgary) and spent more than two treacherous hours making pictures while the wind whipped around me. How treacherous? I took two mega falls on the slippery ice, leaving my left knee quite sore for several days.
That said, I came away with more than two-dozen ‘keeper’ photos, including this one (here’s another: http://500px.com/photo/24800283). The processing is quite bold, with very dark blacks and strong whites, plus a decidedly bluish hue, all to help you connect with the brilliance of the ice and the lake. Nikon D90, tripod, polarizing filter.

Click on the picture for a larger view.

Want to buy this picture? Email me and I’ll make it happen! (fdking@hotmail.com).

You should check the ice dunes that grow in some conditions at the leeward ends of ice covered lakes. They grow in layers like honey combs and look like brain coral. If you climb on them the shards, which stand together on end, can slice you to ribbons. It´s quite amazing stuff.